73.69 22yo d.1992 Dark side eclipsed by sweet joys (52.9%, SMWS Society Single Cask, Refill ex-Sherry Butt, 620b): nose: wood varnish and marinated meat again -- this one is not my thing. Maybe some damp earth too. After a while, it turns to saddle and beef skin. Mouth: varnish, game casserole with too much wine. Finish: more action, at last, with notes of plant sap. It is mostly mulled wine, vermouth and sangria, however. 4/10

123.14 9yo d.2005 Playful spices buzz the mouth (57.4%, SMWS Society Single Cask, 1st Fill ex-Bourbon Barrel, 225b): nose: ethereal, with just a drop of flower sap. Mouth: discreet, with notes of flowers and orchard fruit. Finish: it becomes bitter, for a second, then lets orchard fruit emerge -- sweet apples, pears and peaches. This is probably the best 123 we have had at the Society, for the last few years. 7/10

3.206 15yo d.1997 Dark and mysterious (56.9%, SMWS Society Single Cask, Refill Sherry Butt, 445b): not sure where this one comes from -- we had 2.239, last month! Nose: gouache. crayons, all sorts of paint thinners and brushes. Farmyard action then starts taking place -- ploughed fields, manure and all. Mouth: rather gentle and balanced, though still big and drying. Lichen and moss. Finish: a cowboy in a ranch, wearing leather chaps. Lots of earth and ash, with a faint splash of raspberry jam. 7/10

7.113 24yo d.1989 'Takes you to another place' (51.7%, SMWS Society Single Cask, 2nd Fill ex-Port Barrique, 147b): this one is not part of the outturn, but we spot it on the shelf and decide to try it all the same. Turns out it is a bottling for Denmark. Nose: perfume, rosewater, orange rinds. Mouth: easygoing, pulpy orange juice. Finish: caramel at first, then waves of fruit radiate, one after the other. Good, this. 8/10

Not a particularly good day for me. It seemed like the poorest outturn in many months and I was not very available, mentally. The steaks were better cooked than last time, yet I think the Saturday formula suits me better.